Are some rights more equal than others?

Sometimes the concepts of Liberty are just too simple to comprehend easily.  That is almost an oxymoron phrase.  We have been indoctrinated with the implications for so long in our schools that our rights come from the Constitution.  However the very simple truth is that they are a gift from our Creator, Higher Power, by right of birth, by the fact that we are born, etc.  Whichever one works for you will work for the thoughts expressed here.  

I recently ran across an article that really gave me another perspective that I thought I would share.  The Bill of Rights (BOR) describes or enumerates a number of very important rights that are essential to a free people.  The author made it clear that no one expressed right was of a higher value than another.  For example when the question, “Why would anyone need more than 10 rounds to hunt with?” would then become “Why would anyone need more than 10 books?” or “Why would anyone need more than 10 bibles?” or “Why would anyone need more than 10 letters to the editor?” or “Why would any one town need more than one newspaper or church?”

The real truth is, “why” doesn’t matter.   What matters is that there shall be no infringement of a fundamental right.  Trying to turn the discussion into hunting or target shooting or the “need” for another church or paper or book is not the government’s business.  In the case of arms or firearms, the protection is very specific.  One lone enumeration is in the Second Amendment.  That is the right of the people to keep and bear arms without infringement.

In the same article the author pointed out how “fallacious” it is to support one right over others.  For example to say, support “Life” without supporting “Liberty” does not compute.  What is Life without Liberty?  What is Life and Liberty without the right to own Property?  Suppose you can have Property but no Life.  Well that doesn’t work either.  Maybe you could have Property and Life but no Liberty.  Then you can mix in various aspects of the other rights in the BOR.  Missing any one of these rights will lead to unhappiness and servitude of slavery.  So what does that do for Pursuit of Happiness?

The key component of the Second Amendment is that it is necessary to preserve all of the other rights combined.  Without the People retaining the right to self-defense against any and all who seek to encroach on these essential elements of Liberty then you are again back at the potential for servitude.  While we don’t like to think that our government here in the land of the free would take advantage of us, the truth is the governments at all levels tend to grow by nature.  The same as an old sow will keep on eating and growing.  It is not that she is evil; she is just acting according to her nature. 

Likewise government in itself is not evil, it just finds ever increasing need to govern for the safety of the children, the workers (OSHA), the environment (EPA), as defense against drugs, or terrorism and you can go on for pages.  Therefore it is essential that we the people remind government of its true purpose as expressed in the first legal document of the USA, the Declaration of Independence.  It states therein “…that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men…”  That is not Dr. Mefford saying that, it is the Founders who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor while becoming traitors to the king at the stroke of a pen. 

Beware the “thieves of Liberty” who would pass unconstitutional “edicts” and laws to steal your rights in the name of “public safety.”  One fine officer who I have had the privilege to meet states repeatedly that, “when tyranny comes to your door it will be wearing a uniform.”